THE ARISTOCRATIC faction was in an uproar when Tori stepped foot into the Turvy. Gone were the customers that would usually welcome her and Lily. Instead, the aristocrats were loitering frantically outside the secret room.

Lady M immediately left the counter to welcome the newly arrived Tori. "Let's go to the secret room. Prince Corean is there." Lady M guided her to the familiar room where the round table was located.

"What did he say?" I am quite curious about the excuse he gave just to ensure Tessa's safety.

"He's talking trash. We all know that he's been fooling around with that commoner. The noble faction is gaining strength through Sir Oswald and now the common folks' support for the second prince will go down from the scandal."

As soon as the door opened, all eyes were on them. Lily like the usual just stayed outside. Nodding towards her trusted handmaiden, Tori stepped inside the room that just fell silent.

"Let's begin. The others are still catching up outside but they will just come here after that."

Tori went to her spot which was located to the second prince's side. Tori's sugary smile never faltered even for a second as she trotted gracefully. Everyone was watching her every move critically. They knew about Tori's ambition to sit on the throne. The lords of every house under the banner of the aristocrats supported her. Thus, they knew the scandal had a bigger impact on Tori. What they didn't know was the fact that it was her who orchestrated the entire ordeal just to dismiss Tessa while gaining the sympathy of the common folks.

Commoners' have such a simple mind. The last time, they were throwing eggs and tomatoes at me. And now, they are showing sympathy for me and they are even in awe at the rumors about me helping the ambitious servant. Aah, such fickle-minded beings they are.

I just demolished the Cinderella effect of Tesa's love for the second prince.

Lily reported to her that the palace servants started to support which Tori hated the most. By helping Tessa in front of everyone, her benevolence would cover the incident a year ago. As a Vesta candidate from the aristocratic faction, everyone viewed Tori as the second prince's fiancé. Who would doubt a lady who shielded the very same woman who coveted her seat?

"First, let us come up with a plan to stop the scandal from circulating." Lady M raised the faction's main priority.

Lord Tofera immediately suggested. "Let us create a diversion. Create a bigger scandal for the masses to forget about this."

You can't. I have Rowan spread the rumors about the treacherous Tessa and the pitiful Victoria to every cavern in the Empire. That's what makes him busy together with the two crown princes who were investigating Tessa's colorful background.

"And what type of scandal will be bigger than this?" Lord Harum asked Lord Tofera who later o fell silent after pondering for a good minute.

Lord Sozeni butted in, "How about we shifted the blame to the noble faction? We can argue that the samples are fabricated. He's a magician. The people will think it's a farce from the noble faction to destroy the second prince since the Hunt is coming."

Lady M nodded. She was probably considering the idea which made Tori internally smiled. Though this was just her backup plan, the results of this one could still benefit Tori in the long run.

It is still okay for me. They can prosecute Oswald as long as they will give me an opening to prosecute the Marquess and the Duke. It is still a win-win situation for me, so go on.

"That is too risky. We are like defending this commoner when everyone in the palace knew what she's doing with the second prince. This plan is a double-edged sword." Lord Helisos interrupted everyone from considering the second plan.

Upon realizing the recuperations of the plan, Lady M's sullen face returned.

Lord Wolfgang glanced at Tori before speaking about his suggestion. "How about we shift our blame to the commoner? After all, this was all her fault that was taken advantage of by the noble faction. Let us prosecute her while claiming that the Prince Corean has nothing to do with her."

Tori finally looked at the aristocratic faction's leader who was just silent the whole time. His cold eyes regarded Lord Wolfgang which made the latter paled.

"Our main concern is to help Tessa. She's innocent in all of this chaos. I am the one that brought this into her."

Oh, if you only know my dearest prince. Your beloved brother controls Tessa.

Lady M was clearly displeased with the second prince's resolve. So she faced Tori who was just listening to the entire discussion while calmly sipping her favorite tea.

"Lady Victoria, I would like to hear your thoughts about this."

Tori's brows raised but she did set her teacup down to answer Lady M. "I agree with the second prince. He's the one who brought this into her so why prosecute the poor soul? That's the noble faction's job. But, your highness, have you ever considered that Tessa is being used to bargain with you? A bargain like, surrender your claim to the throne and they will spare your beloved Tessa."

Chaos erupted inside the room but a raging storm between Prince Corean and Tori was also brewing as they looked at each other challengingly. "Your reason would cause further shackles for Tessa. Be careful Lady Victoria. You're treading on thin ice."

Am I, your highness? Whose life is at stake now?

Smiling like there's nothing wrong with her claims, Tori answered with her sugary voice. "I am only stating my honest opinion, your highness. Please do forgive my impertinence. But if I may, I have another concern."

"What is it?" Lady M and Prince Corean spoke at the same time. All chaos around them stopped when they saw how serious the leader of the aristocratic faction was.

"Should you give in when that bargain happens, I want his highness to know that it is not just your life on the line or the people around this table but Queen Aurina's as well."

The momentary shock that passed his eyes made Tori laugh inside her malicious mind but she added some sugarcoated words immediately. Clapping her hands while smiling sweetly around her, Tori spoke nonchalantly. "Though these are all my speculations."

Lady M's attempt to ask again was interrupted when the door suddenly burst open. A royal knight under the second prince came in with frantic eyes and a heaving chest.

"How dare you interrupt the meeting?" Lord Wolfgang exclaimed, clearly shocked from the sudden intrusion.

The poor knight finally remembered that Prince Corean was surrounded by lords and ladies from different powerful houses. Bowing nervously he asked for forgiveness before shifting his attention to the worried second prince. His expression made Tori raised her brows.

"Duke Luwen and Marquess Zoliel arrested Miss Tessa under the orders of King Elphaim!"

You did well, Your Majesty. You really did convince the king to arrest Tessa.

"Let's go!" The heroic prince who was supposed to be meek and gentle showed his real face in front of the aristocratic faction. The original plot when the second prince was hopelessly in love with Tessa was not a joke.

According to Rowan's information, the closeness and affection that the second prince showed for the commoner are real. He's now blinded by his feelings for that sewer rat.

Aah, the things I'll pay just to see your destroyed heart reflected on your pretty face. Patience Tori, after all, all good things come to those who wait.

Before the second prince could live, Tori spoke. "Are you really going there? Right into their trap? It's their plan to corner you, your highness!" The fear and pure concern laced upon Tori's face and voice fooled everyone including the second prince.

Like a beast ready to strike her down, the aggressive strides of the second prince close the distance between them. He forcefully made her stand as he gripped her shoulders painfully. His fingers dug into her cloth-covered flesh. "Listen well. I don't care about your sick ambition to be the queen of this empire. You better know your place, Victoria."

Tori slumped to her chair when the second prince let her go like a ragged doll. Lady M immediately followed the furious second prince while the other lords surrounded her.

"Lady Victoria, are you alright?"

"You should stop provoking Prince Corean, Lady Victoria."

"Yes, he is too blinded with this commoner. I admit it is good that she's been arrested."

Standing up with a forced smile in front of every lord of the aristocratic faction, Tori wiped her tears as she spoke with a cracked voice. "Thank you for your concern, my lords. But I have to go and talk to my father if there's anything I could do. I want to ease his highness' pains."

Nodding at the concerned-looking lords, Tori walked away. She was then welcomed by Lily who had her cloak readied for her. "Lady Tori, I see that the meeting played well to your liking." Lily casually observed as she observed the smirking face of Tori beneath the hood of her cloak.

Tori's red eyes gleamed as they met Lily's smiling ones. "Things are getting interesting, Lily."

Walking away discreetly from the Turvy, Tori and Lily were welcomed by the queen's butler who was just standing in the back alley's corner. "This way."

The three hooded figures went inside the rented carriages. The butler led Tori to the first carriage while Lily was led by the butler to the other carriage. Tori being used to this covert conversation greeted the only person who talked to her like this.

"Blessings to the Empire's moon, Queen Aurina," Tori greeted Queen Aurina as soon as she took the seat in front of the regal queen who was looking at her expectedly.

"Your plan really did work, Lady Victoria. Your astounding grasp of the situation is quite good and dangerous. I never know that Luwen has a daughter like you. His wits failed in comparison with yours." Queen Aurina's sly smile was received positively by Tori who bathed the words as compliments for her tenacity.

"Your words humble me, Your Majesty."

"But the second plan. I am quite dubious about it. Will it really be alright?"

Oh, your love for your son is both worth praise and worth fear for. You will literally do anything even if it means staining your hands with crimson blood.

"Trust me, Your Majesty. By the end of our plan, Prince Corean would want nothing to do with that sewer rat."

Worried laced the queen's voice as she grasped Tori's hands. "Won't this destroy my son?"

"What are you afraid of, Your Majesty? Your son's feelings or your son's safety? He may live happily ever after with that pest and have bountiful of half-blood kids but as long as his brother will be king, his safety and your safety is not set in stone."

The very thought of Tessa carrying Prince Corean's child made Tori angry. She was furious because, for her, she's the one who would carry the future king of the empire.

"You are right. There's nothing more suitable for my son but you. If it is you, I know you can protect him."

Smiling sweetly, Tori replied, "It is my honor to be praised by your majesty."

Oh, you got me wrong. Your son is just my stepping stone as queen regent. When I become queen regent, I will have your grandson. But that is a story for another. For now, let us fix your beloved son first.